Resident Doctors Threaten Strike Over Unmet MoU

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a stern warning to the federal government, stating that the nationwide strike, suspended on November 29, 2025, will resume if all agreed demands under the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) are not fully implemented.

The strike, which began on November 1, 2025, had grounded services across federal hospitals nationwide, following a declaration by NARD on October 25, 2025. The association cited years of unfulfilled agreements affecting salary arrears, working conditions, delayed promotions, manpower shortages, and the non-implementation of the one-for-one replacement policy.

During an Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting held on November 30, 2025, NARD reviewed the federal government’s response to its 19-point demands. The association acknowledged some progress, including partial payment of the 25–35% Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) arrears, release of the 2024 accoutrement allowance, and the issuance of directives on specialist allowances for CONMESS 5 doctors.

However, NARD highlighted that critical issues remain unresolved. These include the full reinstatement of five doctors disengaged at Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, pending promotion arrears, incomplete salary and allowance reconciliations through IPPIS, and poor hospital infrastructure.

NARD President Dr. Mohammad Suleiman confirmed that while the strike is suspended for four weeks, the association will closely monitor government compliance. “The strike has now been suspended for four weeks to allow time for implementation of all outstanding issues,” he said. “It is not over until it is over.”

The communiqué emphasized that the suspension should be seen as a gesture of goodwill, allowing time for government action, but warned that any failure to meet agreed deadlines will trigger a total, indefinite, and comprehensive strike. Among the unresolved demands are the transmission of all outstanding salaries and allowances for hospitals such as FUHSTH Otukpo, FMC Owo, UITH Ilorin, OAUTHC Ile-Ife, and UUTH Uyo to the Budget Office and Ministry of Finance for immediate payment. NARD also insists on the full implementation of the Lokoja five reinstatement within two weeks, activation of the Central Taskforce Committee on duty hours and locum policies within two months, revival of the stalled Collective Bargaining Agreement process, and implementation of the one-to-one replacement policy to address manpower shortages.

The association further stressed that local issues in state and federal hospitals, including at Benue State University Teaching Hospital, should continue to be pursued until resolved.

The impact of the strike has been significant, with many appointments canceled, wards operating skeletal services, and consultants overstretched in major teaching hospitals across Abuja, Lagos, and Kaduna. NARD noted that the industrial action goes beyond financial concerns, describing it as a fight for dignity, safety, and the survival of Nigeria’s healthcare system.

At the onset of the strike, the federal government had announced the release of N11.9 billion for outstanding arrears, in addition to previous payments of N10 billion in August 2025 and N21.3 billion transferred to IPPIS accounts. Yet, NARD insists that complete compliance with the MoU is essential to prevent further disruption to healthcare delivery.

The association thanked President Bola Tinubu, senior cabinet officials, the National Assembly, regulatory bodies, and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) for their roles in facilitating the conciliatory process, while reaffirming its commitment to monitor government action.